Routine Optional Poem by Alexander Hawkins

Melodic clacks thrice rebound
a gluggy head, tippiest toes

hopscotch around insomniac dragons
and, vampiric, the day outstays
the welcome it never had.

The symmetry is provided
by vapid meanders, awkward scuttling,
reminders of indoor smoking,

pavlovian disappointment
supplanting fresh air optimism.

Ascend, if you will, the crystalline catafalque
and surmise ‘this is alright, I can settle for this'.